204 THE CHEMISTRY OF CATTLE FEEDING 



In certain experiments at Woburn a number of sheep were 

 fed for 112 days on rations consisting of J Ib. of meadow hay, 

 20 Ibs. of swedes, and f Ib. of whole wheat. The average live 

 weight of the animals at the beginning of the experiment was 

 119 Ibs. and the average daily gain was o'4 Ib. per head. 

 The requirements of the animals, calculated by the formulae, 

 were 4-52 kt. for maintenance, and ro4 Ibs. of total nutrients, 

 reckoned as starch, for fattening. On analysis it will be seen 

 that the ration provides almost exactly these quantities, but it 

 contains less protein than is generally deemed advisable. 

 Probably, however, most of the nitrogenous matter of the 

 roots which is not true protein is suitable for the formation 

 of digestive enzymes, and that is the chief function of the 

 protein in the fattening portion of the ration. 



ANALYSIS OF THE RATION. 



o( 



I 



,4 l ,; dd 4'46 *. her mi c energy. 



Wheat 0-56 



The results of the experiment, therefore, afford strong 

 confirmation of the theoretical considerations enunciated above. 



The following rations which are given us having been used 

 in practice may also be submitted to a similar analysis : 



* * WyieldS -K" kt - " 



, J 



5 \ 



,o esyied 3 



5 0-35) 



| ,, Undec. cotton cake yields o'2O>O'92 lb. "starch." 



,, Barley yields '37) 



Assuming an average, original live weight of 100 Ibs., and 

 deducting the amount required for maintenance, the balance 

 of the ration is sufficient for an average daily increase of 

 0*35 lb. The total amount of digestible protein (0-15 lb.) is 

 just about right. This ration is, therefore, a suitable and 

 economical one for sheep of the size and rate of increase 

 assumed. 



|6 



I0 6 ; Swes .*> Kt. thermic energy. 



Linseed cake yields 



Ib. "starch." 



